The purpose of the Office of Student Disability Services at Grace College & Seminary is to offer accommodations and services for students with disabilities that will provide equal access to college and college-related activities. The Office of Student Disability Services in the Morgan Library Learning Center provides individualized support for students diagnosed with specific learning disabilities or for those with other disabilities who meet federal guidelines. Although the college is mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA Amendments Act to provide these services, it is the intention of the Office of Student Disability Services to serve our students with disabilities in a Christ-like and respectful manner that assists them in developing their independence.

Connie Burkholder, coordinator of Student Disability Services, advises students about the College's policies, procedures and resources; reviews students' clinical documentation; and collaborates with students, faculty and staff to arrange reasonable accommodations that support students' individual needs.

Accommodations

Accommodations are provided to allow students diagnosed with specific learning disabilities and those with other disabilities who meet federal guidelines (e.g., attention, health, hearing, learning, mobility, physical, psychiatric or vision) or those students with short-term issues such as broken bones, equal access to an education at Grace College & Seminary.

Before any accommodations are made, it is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services in the Morgan Library Learning Center by disclosing his/her disability or special learning need. Students with a documented disability will be assisted by the Coordinator of Student Disability Services in requesting approved accommodations in their courses. A letter from the Office of Student Disability Services noting the student’s documented disability and request for accommodation will be provided to the individual faculty. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, captioning, computer use, note-takers, peer tutoring, extended time on tests, recording devices, textbooks in alternative formats, the elimination of physical barriers, and referral for diagnostic evaluation and community resources. The student with a disability is responsible for meeting all course requirements.

What should I do as a student, or future student, if I have a disability?

If you are a prospective student, please work through your admissions counselor, who may set up an appointment with the Coordinator of Student Disability Services.

If you are a current student, contact the Office of Student Disability Services. We will request documentation (tests, assessments, etc.) of your disability to keep on file in our office in order to help you more effectively. Please be aware that the Office of Student Disability Services is not able to provide retroactive accommodations, and that arranging for textbooks in alternative formats and video captioning requires several weeks. We want to make sure that all of your accommodations are in place when your classes begin.

For every student, transitioning from high school to college is an adjustment. The transition for students with disabilities can be more of a challenge. The U.S. Department of Education offers a pamphlet that offers guidance for students transitioning to college. You may access it at: http://www.ed.gov/ocr/transition.html.